Scott Dunlap's blog of trail running, ultrarunning, triathlon, and other life adventures. I enjoy the physical, emotional, and spiritual journey of outdoor events and the chance to meet cool people. This blog contains interviews, research, original fiction, new product ideas, and all things trail running.

Monday, April 01, 2013

New Electrolyte-filled Beer to Be Provided Free at Boston Marathon

In a groundbreaking new partnership announcement released today, the innovation lab at the The Boston Beer Company (who brews the famous Sam Adams beer) has revealed the results of their joint venture with the Boston Athletics Association to develop a single beverage that can be used during a race to hydrate, as well as after the race to celebrate. The new Harriest Indian Pale Ale (IPA), is said to be fortified with electrolytes such as sodium, magnesium, and potassium, as well as fish oil rich in Omega-3's. The name is derived from the Hash House Harriers, a club of "drinkers with a running problem" whose local Boston chapter provided daily test subjects over the last 12 months for the new concoction.

"It has a pleasant earthy flavor reminiscent of face-planting right on Bolyston Street," said BAA Race Director David McGillivray, "so even those who drink too much will get a taste of the finish line."

(The Boston Hash House Harriers provided testing for the new Harriest IPA)

"We put a lot of thought in developing a beer that could be easily chugged while running," explained Jim Koch, founder of The Boston Beer Company and 3:08 marathoner, "it is cask-conditioned to keep the carbonation down, but still has enough head to retain a beer mustache that can help you savor some electrolytes between aid stations. There are 150 calories in each bottle, so with a solid training regiment, it's possible to drink 1-2 of these bad boys per hour over the course of a marathon. Even if you overdo it, the flavor is light and hoppy, so it will taste good going down or coming up."

The idea for the new hydra-beer came from an impromptu brainstorming session between Mr. Koch, Mr. McGillivray, and Olympian/5-time 800-meter National Champion Nick Symmonds.

"Nick was coming fresh off his record-breaking Beer Mile (5:19), and was drinking us all under the table after a press event," said McGillivray, "His Olympic-caliber alcoholism was inspiring...seeing that dedication of training and his natural gifts in both running and drinking, I knew it was only a matter of time until extreme alcohol consumption would make it's way to endurance distance events. Plus it might level the playing field and give the non-Kenyans a chance to win Boston for once. We wanted to be first and make this happen for our runners, our Boston community, and America."

"To push limits like that, we needed better technology," explained Mr. Koch, "This was no different than all-weather track surfaces, custom-molded spikes, or other running technology that helped runners push the limits of human endurance. Jim and I looked each other in the eye, since both of us could only see out of one eye at that point, and knew we had to do it. We started working on it two days later when our hangovers finally subsided."

Mr. McGillivray also announced at the press briefing that new Boston Qualifying guidelines would include a Harriet classification for those who could finish a marathon in less than five hours while drinking 26 ounces of beer per hour. He stressed that these guidelines were quite challenging, and meant to screen out all but the top 10% of running alcoholics.

The Harriest IPA will make its debut at the Boston Marathon Expo, and will be available to all runners at aid stations along the course. The beer will also be available to spectators along the course thanks to a large donation provided by The Unibrow Club, in exchange for Nick Symmonds getting a tattoo between his eyebrows to mimic the stylish look made famous by celebrities such as George Harrison, Bert from Sesame Street, and Noel Gallagher from the band Oasis.

(The new Nick Symmonds?)

"Spectating at a world-class event is really hard work, and requires keeping your hydration and electrolytes in balance for hours," said Mr. Symmonds, "just ask any of my 29,663 Twitter followers, many of who already have unibrows, and all of whom I know personally. I feel this is the perfect way to unite us all in brow hair, beer, and running."[Happy April 1st, everyone!]

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If you have any tips to share, I would really appreciate it. I’ll be sure they are included in my post, and in return, I’ll be sure to give you and your blog credit for your contribution.

About Me

I'm a technology entrepreneur who took up trail running and triathloning back in 2001 to get off the work treadmill and see a bit more of the outdoors. I also love to eat, so the exercise helps me justify those extra helpings. ;oP I'm always interested in learning more about trail running - please comment and link away!

Want to advertise on this blog, reach 100k+ users/month who love the outdoors, and improve your Google PageRank? Give me a shout at scottdunlap [at] yahoo.com.

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